The city of San Diego has determined that since the La Jolla Community Planning Association is an advisory body created by an action of the City Council, the LJCPA is subject to (i) California’s Open Meeting Law, the Ralph M. Brown Act (“Brown Act”); (ii) San Diego Council Policy 600-24; and (iii) The city-approved bylaws of the LJCPA. Each of the above documents gives our community group trustees a clear direction how to precisely, openly and fairly conduct the business of our community.

Despite being subject to the above regulations, LJCPA trustees continue to perform the business of our community using unauthorized policies and procedures. They do this even though the City Attorney’s Office and the San Diego Development Services Department have strongly recommended the trustees to memorialize their policies and procedures into their city-approved bylaws, thereby assuring compliance with all of the above-mentioned regulations.

The most recent infraction of our community group occurred on Feb. 4 with the filing of an environmental determination appeal of a project at 1328 Virginia Way. The appeal was filed by the group’s president, Tony Cristifi, three days prior to the LJCPA’s publicly noticed Feb. 7 meeting.

The appeal was filed in violation of the Brown Act, City Council Policy 600-24, Information Bulletin 620 and the LJCPA’s city-approved bylaws, each of which clearly states there must be open discussions and voting by the LJCPA prior to taking an action.

To further compound the infraction, the trustees voted to ratify the appeal without public comment or discussion regarding the reasons listed on the environmental determination appeal application filed by Mr. Crisafi.

There was also a second appeal filed on Feb. 4 of the environmental determination of the same project. This appeal was filed by attorney Julie Hamilton. Her clients include No Three Stories, Save La Jolla, La Jolla Shores Tomorrow, Taxpayers for Responsible Land Use and the La Jolla Historical Society. The above-mentioned regulations, however, require the official positions and opinions of the LJCPA should not be established or determined by any organization other than the LJCPA, nor by any elected trustee of the LJCPA other than one authorized to do so as a result of a public vote taken at a noticed LJCPA meeting. Shockingly, the reasons listed by Mr. Crisafi in the LJCPA appeal are taken word for word from the appeal filed by Ms. Hamilton.

Mr. Crisafi, who is actually establishing the official positions and opinions for the LJCPA trustees?

Bob Whitney

La Jolla Association

Appreciation for mayor’s moves to protect the seals

Mayor Filner,

Thank you so much for approving the installation of the seal camera at Children’s Pool Beach! What an incredible educational opportunity for people from all over the world to see harbor seals in a natural, yet urban environment.

Although I am grateful that you have lengthened the rope line to 152 feet, correcting the error from last season, some people, often encouraged by the professional harassers and their friends, do not adhere to the guideline viewing requirements and cross the rope, disturbing many of the pregnant female seals from critical resting.

In past years of the pupping season, the first births took place at the end of January. If people occupy the beach close to the waterline, the seals will not be able to haul out. As a result, there will not be a place to deliver and nurture their pups, which can cause infant mortality rates to rise. If the distance requirements are enforced, we will have a pupping season that will amaze viewers far and wide!

Thank you for caring and taking action to protect the seals. Your noble actions are appreciated by so many of us who love the seals!